Ageing Gracefully: Dental Care Tips for Seniors
3 minute read
With greater awareness of oral health and access to dental care, more Australians are keeping their natural teeth all through their lives, but age still brings its share of oral health problems as risk factors build up over time.
Follow these oral health care tips to help keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid related problems. If you need to talk to a dentist for personalised advice or any concerns, get in touch with our friendly team at Kelmscott Dental today.
1. Attend regular check-ups
Regular dental visits are important at all ages, both for giving your dentist the chance to spot any problems at an early stage, when they’re usually easier to treat, and for removing built-up plaque from your teeth. Your dentist will also provider an oral cancer screening as part of your check-up, which can be vital for early diagnosis and treatment.
Routine check-ups are generally recommended every six months, but your dentist will discuss the most suitable visiting pattern based on your individual needs and risk factors. If you’re due for a dental visit, call us today to arrange a time that suits you.
2. Brush and floss regularly
Whether you still have your natural teeth or prosthetic teeth, brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily are important for reducing bacterial plaque build-up that can cause problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
It’s best to use fluoride toothpaste for extra protection against plaque and a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging your teeth and gums. You can improve the effects of brushing by using the proper technique:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Brush teeth at a 45-degree angle with bristle
- Using gentle pressure, rotate the brush in a circular motion cleaning the inside, outside and biting surfaces and around the gum line
- Brush for two minutes
- Brush your tongue
- Spit, don’t rinse your mouth, this keeps fluoride active for longer
3. Choose the right toothbrush
If you find it difficult to clean effectively using a manual toothbrush, your dentist may recommend trying an electric brush. These can be particularly helpful for people who have limited dexterity or conditions such as arthritis that can make it hard to hold and move a standard toothbrush.
If you suffer from gum sensitivity or recession, you may find a manual toothbrush gives you more control over your brushing. . If you’re not sure which option is right for you, speak to your dentist who can recommend the most suitable toothbrush.
4. Consider sensitive toothpaste
If you have sensitive teeth or gums and brushing your teeth feels uncomfortable, your dentist may recommend a toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth. These contain ingredients that help to reduce tooth sensitivity. Your dentist may also suggest using a softer toothbrush or brushing more gently.
5. Drink lots of water
It’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your mouth hydrated and prevent dryness and stickiness. If you have a dry mouth, sipping water can help to cleanse the teeth of leftover food and acids. Water that has fluoride added at safe levels, such as tap water, helps to reduce the build-up of plaque on the teeth and around the gums.
6. Follow a balanced diet
Good nutrition is important for oral health. Food and drinks containing calcium – including dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt, as well as some nuts, tofu and leafy greens – help to strengthen and rebuild teeth and bones. You should also aim to get plenty of vitamins from fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and other lean meats to support healthy teeth, gums and overall health.
It’s also important to avoid excessive sugar in food and drinks, as this sugar feeds bacteria in plaque. Acidic drinks like fruit juices, soft drinks, wine and other alcohol can also contribute to tooth erosion and tooth sensitivity.
7. Avoid smoking and heavy drinking
Smoking is harmful to many areas of health, including oral health. Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease and dry mouth, which can both contribute to tooth loss. People who smoke are also twice as likely to develop oral cancer, and this risk factor increases if you also drink excessive alcohol. Smoking also slows healing from mouth sores and after dental treatments, as well as increasing the risk of complications.
8. Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
If you grind or clench your teeth at night (a condition called bruxism), this could cause your teeth to wear down or become more sensitive over time, making them more prone to damage. It can also lead to jaw pain and related problems. If you have bruxism, your dentist might prescribe a night splint to wear over your teeth, preventing further damage and helping to relieve your symptoms. If you think you may grind your teeth, get in touch with the team at Kelmscott Dental
9. Replace missing teeth
Missing teeth affect more than your appearance, sometimes making it difficult to chew food, affecting speech and causing the surrounding teeth to shift position. Replacing missing teeth has many benefits, it allows you to:
- Enjoy a wider, nutrional diet
- Improves digestion
- Stimulates the jawbone and prevents bone loss
- Stops adjacent teeth from shifting into the gap
Whether you’re missing one, several or many teeth, your dentist can discuss natural-looking replacements to restore their function and your smile, including dental implants, a dental bridge or dentures.
10. Looking after dentures
If you have dentures, they need good daily care like natural teeth, with some differences. Your dentist will explain how to keep your dentures clean and safe, including twice-daily brushing with amild liquid hand soap or denture cleaning solution and rinsing them with warm water (not hot water) after you eat or drink.
You should store them in a denture solution or cold water overnight to prevent them from drying out and rinse them before use in the morning. If your dentures become damaged or loose over time, your dentist may be able to offer repairs, or they may need to be replaced.
Affordable dentist in Kelmscott for all ages
Our dentists and staff at Kelmscott Dental make patients of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome at our local clinic. We can also help you find out what financial support is available to make quality dental care more affordable.
To speak to a member of our team today, call us on (08) 9495 7999 or book online. We also welcome patients from all nearby areas, including Armadale and Gosnells.
